As a community, we are mindful of our shared responsibility to create safe, nurturing environments for our students. MCPS is grateful for your commitment and partnership. Below are answers to frequently asked questions to help clarify volunteer training and background check requirements.

Who can be a volunteer?

Volunteers may include parents/guardians and other family members, as well as members of the community interested in the education of children, who are willing to donate their time and skills to support the students of Montgomery County.

How do I become a volunteer?

All volunteers who regularly support schools and school sponsored activities must complete the Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect training for volunteers and contractors. This training requirement also applies to student teachers and interns, volunteers who regularly help with school dismissal or recess, and those who attend field trips and chaperone outdoor education. The online training is provided in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Korean, Amharic, and Vietnamese.

Does everyone who provides support for schools and students need to complete the MCPS online training?

While we encourage all volunteers to view the informative training, currently only individuals who regularly support schools must complete the training. Individuals who support at large events or those who assist at one-time events under the supervision of school staff members are not required to view the training at this time. Below are examples of the types of activities that do not require completion of the training:

• Guest readers or speakers in classrooms where they will be supervised by a MCPS staff member
• High school/college recruiters and volunteers at job and college fairs
• Individuals who are observing or supporting a celebration, party, or parents/guardians eating lunch with their children
• Individuals staffing concessions and ticket booths at large events

How will MCPS know that I have completed the training?

Participation is recorded and tracked by MCPS. Schools will access a report listing the family and community members who have successfully completed the training.

If I completed MCPS training in a prior school year, do I have to do so again in the 2021-2022 school year

No. If you completed the training within the past three years, you will only be required to return to your existing Volunteer Training course to complete the COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Module. If you have completed the MCPS Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect training during the past three years, you do not have to retake that portion of the course. As a reminder, the training is required every three years (with the exception of volunteers who took the training the first year it was offered), so if training was taken in:

• 2018-2019 or earlier, renew in 2021-2022
• 2019-2020 renew in 2022-2023
• 2020-2021 renew in 2023-2024
• 2021-2022 renew in 2024-2025

Once I've completed the training, can I begin volunteering?

Yes. However, volunteer coaches, overnight or extended day chaperones must wait until their criminal background check and fingerprinting results have been returned (see below).

How do I find volunteer opportunities?

The best way to begin volunteering is to contact the school directly to find out what volunteer opportunities are available.

What procedures do I follow when volunteering?

To best support school staff and students, volunteers are expected to follow these procedures each time they volunteer:

• Volunteers must sign-in and sign-out of the building using the Visitor Management System (VMS).
• Volunteers must wear the VMS produced volunteer identification name tag at all times while on school property.
• Volunteers may not access confidential student or personnel records and should respect the confidentiality of students.
• Volunteers working with students must be within view of other MCPS staff members and avoid unsupervised, one-on-one student contact.
• Volunteers may not discipline students and should report behavior concerns to the supervising staff member.

What are the background check requirements for volunteers?

The following categories of volunteers are required to complete fingerprinting and background checks:

• Volunteer coaches
• Overnight chaperones on grade 6 Outdoor Environmental Education Programs
• Volunteers on overnight field trips
• Volunteers on extended day trips that require additional approval from the Office of School Support and Improvement. For example, if departure time is not within the MCPS operations start time and/or return time is later than 7:00 p.m.*

*All Athletics/Fine Arts trips travelling less than 100 miles on a single-day trip do not require fingerprint or background checks.

Where do I get information about background checks and fingerprinting?

MCPS BACKGROUND SCREENING
The Department of Systemwide Safety and Emergency Management (DSSEM) with MCPS is responsible for conducting a fingerprint review of individuals who are seeking employment, as well as those wishing to serve in the capacity of a volunteer, chaperone, coach, advisor, student-teacher, or intern. Such background checks are necessary to ensure a safe and secure learning and working environment.

For information regarding background screening for MCPS New Hires, Interns, and Volunteers/Chaperones please click here.

For information regarding background screening for MCPS Contractors please click here.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Fingerprinting: Monday–Friday from 9am–3:30pm (Closed 1–2pm)
Paperwork Submission: Monday–Friday from 9am–3:30pm (Closed 1–2pm)

Who should I contact if I have questions or concerns about my role as a volunteer, required volunteer training and/or background checks?

Please contact the school you wish to volunteer directly. For concerns not addressed at the school level, contact the Office of School Support and Improvement, Student Leadership and Extracurricular Activities at 240-740-3977. We also invite you to read our MCPS Volunteer Regulation to learn more about the requirements and expectations of school volunteers.